By Akeem Abas
Ibadan – A National Boxing Contender, Akeem Dodo, on Monday in Ibadan, won the Light Middleweight Challenge in the first Chief Francis Aiyegbeni Memorial Boxing Championship after defeating Animashaun Rotor in a night show.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dodo of D’Rovans defeated Rotor of Alhaji Ola Akins in Lagos in the third round through a technical knockout in the championship held at Walan Hotels, Ibadan.
The championship tagged “Night of Fury’’ was held in honour of the late prominent boxing promoter and businessman, late Aiyegbeni.
NAN reports that Aiyegbeni, a former Vice-Chairman, World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and Chairman, Nigeria Boxing Organisation (NBO) died in Ibadan on May 7, aged 69.
Dodo, the winner was said to have featured in 15 professional fights winning 14 through technical knockout and drawing one.
NAN also reports that the competition featured several other bouts among which was Bantamweight, Light Middleweight, Featherweight and Female Entertainment.
Taiwo Kazeem of D’Rovans defeated Akeem Muri of Castilo, Lagos, in the Bantam Weight Contest, while Wahab Adebisi of Castilo, Lagos, defeated Ibrahim Ayinla of D’Rovans in the Light Middle Weight Contest.
Wahab Adeyinka of D’Rovans defeated Ajala Nurudeen from Lagos in the Feather Weight Contest Fight, while Ifeoma Anthony of D’Rovans defeated Funke Adedeji of Alhaji Ola Akins in the Female Entertainment Bout.
Dodo told NAN that he was optimistic of better records in future challenges,
He gave thanks to God, while appreciating the organisers and Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Oyo State Chapter, for their unflinching support.
“I enjoin government and well meaning Nigerians to support boxing in the country. My target is a world record but at present, I am looking forward to the national and West African records,’’ he said.
Mrs Edna Aiyegbeni, the daughter of the late boxing promoter, expressed joy with the success of the championship.
“We earlier planned to organise the championship to celebrate our father’s 70th birthday on Dec. 22 but he gave up the ghost in May.
“Our late father has contributed much towards the development of boxing both at the amateur and professional levels in Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“It is the desire of the family to uphold and immortalise his name with the sport he loved passionately,’’ she said.
She said that their late father worked so tirelessly without bias to bring boxing back to its glorious days.
“We sincerely hope that the boxing legacy of our late father will be preserved and he can continue to contribute to boxing even in his sleep,’’ she said.
Also, Baron Akintunde Opaleye, the Chairman, Oyo State Amateur Boxing Association, appreciated the late Aiyegbeni’s family gesture, particularly Edna for promoting the championship.
Opaleye said that the late Aiyegbeni contributed immensely to boxing in the country, urging other well meaning Nigerians to support boxing.
“We appeal to corporate bodies and spirited individuals to come to our aid by supporting our lined-up programmes.
“With this, we can collectively take our youths out of the streets and engaged them with this money-spinning sport,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the event was attended by Mr Gboyega Makinde, the General Manager, Oyo State Sports Council, Mr Yanju Adegbite, the Project Manager and General Manager, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State.
Others are Mr Niyi Alebiosu, the Chairman, Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, Mr Lekan Aleshinloye and Mr Taiwo Adesanya, Oyo State Assistant Secretary and Public Relations Officer of NURTW respectively.